Ever notice that kids don’t have to be taught to dream about their future? They believe they can accomplish anything and be anything they want. They can be president, an astronaut, a cowboy, even a dinosaur.
What did you dream about when you were a kid?
What is the greatest threat to Christianity? What would you say it is? No, it’s not Sunday football.
But before I tell you what I think the answer is I want to talk to you about my favorite NFL team. Do you have a favorite team?
If you’re honest with yourself it is hard not to compare.
It seems to me that we compare most often when things are not going well in our own world. Have you found that to be true?
Anytime we travel to visit friends in Virginia there is a part of the trip where we never know what to expect.
Our route takes us over a particular mountain that is notorious for fog. Afton Mountain has all types of warning signs and systems to alert you of dangerous fog conditions. The interstate even has airport runway lights built into the road to guide you during fog. The fog gets so thick you can’t see the normal reflectors or even the dividing lines on I-64.
I’ve been blessed to be able to spend time with several seasoned leaders. A few of these men have felt sorry for me and have taken me under their wing. They saw some of these rookie mistakes in my life and wanted to save me (and those I lead) from myself.
I wouldn’t call myself a seasoned leader or even put myself in the middle of the leadership spectrum. I do have a few hard-earned battle scars that rookies can’t understand or appreciate yet, but they will.
When you start anything important in life, whether it’s getting a degree, getting married, having a child, starting a business, or even becoming a follower of Jesus, it always seems to start with great fanfare.
But the middle about kills you.
I find myself faced with needing lots of amazing and gifted people to do the work God has called me to do…establishing a church. If I can be honest, sometimes I wish that wasn’t the case and I could do it all myself. The job would be so much easier, but then it wouldn’t be the job at all (Eph. 4:12).
The problem is people misunderstand, people get hurt easily, people can be selfish, people can be fearful, people at times are too needy and even greedy…things I’ve all seen in myself.
I have found myself repeating a phrase more and more these days. I’ve been saying it to myself as I face new challenges and long term ones. Every time I say the phrase my perspective starts to change and when my perspective starts to change so does my emotional state.
I firmly believe that managing our emotional state is a key to winning. The battle is won or lost in our mind way before we ever find an actual solution.
What if there is only so much you can do and then the rest is out of your hands?
That’s one of the hardest realities to face in life…you can only do what you can do. Sometimes we start thinking that if we were just a little smarter, faster, more educated, better connected, younger, richer, or whatever our life would look a lot different. Ever felt that way? Thinking that way can get you on a hamster wheel going nowhere. Well, I take that back it will take you in a downward spiral of guilt and self-loathing.
Most people don’t achieve their goals or dreams because all they do is try.
Think about a goal or dream that you have. How far are you willing to go to see it happen? What are you willing to do to make it happen? I’m not talking about breaking the law or committing a sin. I’m talking about pushing yourself and going beyond your comfort zone. I’m talking about having a singular focus that you would never give up no matter what.
